From Washington, D.C., to Texas, to California, Excelencia in Education’s team collaborates with leaders in higher education, philanthropy, business, and government to ensure Latino, and all, students are served with intentionality and impact. Our People From Washington, D.C., to Texas, to California, Excelencia in Education’s team collaborates with leaders in higher education, philanthropy, business, and government to ensure Latino, and all, students are served with intentionality and impact. Click on the tabs below to explore. Excelencia Leadership Excelencia Staff Board of Directors Sarita E. Brown President Excelencia in Education Deborah A. Santiago Chief Executive Officer Excelencia in Education Guadalupe Acosta Digital Communications Manager Elizabeth Davis Director of Finance Jennifer Gomez-Chavez Senior Strategist Emily Labandera Director of Research Cindy Mendiola-Perez Senior Advisor of Institutional Transformation Adriana Rodriguez Chief Operating Officer Iris Yan Research Analyst Jessica Marie Arguello Network Activation Manager JP Deering Director of Communications Karla Hernandez DeCuir Senior Director of Network Activation Jessica Leach Grants Manager Noé Ortiz Senior Manager, Program Operations Josué Romualdo Capacity Building Manager Melva Yanes Finance Manager Cassy Castañón Capacity Building Manager Dorian Díaz Director of Data & Knowledge Management Honee Herrera Gil Assessment & Recognition Manager Dianey Leal Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships Alexis Padilla-Torres Strategic Initiatives Manager Iris E. Sanchez Director of Capacity Building Matt Cuozzo Interim Chief Program & Innovation Officer Olivia Glad Capacity Building Manager Anna Israel Development Coordinator Madelyn Lucas Policy Analyst Eyra Pérez Senior Strategist Val Tovar Assessment & Recognition Manager Massey Villarreal Chair Chief Executive Officer & President Precision Task Group, Inc. Sarita E. Brown Board Member President Excelencia in Education Havidán Rodríguez Board Member President University at Albany - State University of New York Elizabeth Béjar Vice Chair Provost, Executive Vice President, and COO Florida International University Andrés Henríquez Board Member Director of STEM Education Strategy, US Division Education Development Center, Inc. Cynthia Teniente-Matson Board Member President San José State University Carlos E. Santiago Past Chair Commissioner Emeritus Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) Verónica Herrero Board Member Executive Vice Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago President, City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Geronimo M. Rodriguez Jr. Secretary/Treasurer Former Chief Advocacy Officer Ascension Texas Jane Oates Board Member Senior Policy Advisor WorkingNation Employment Opportunities Join Excelencia’s Team Excelencia in Education’s team is expanding to serve our mission of accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success, to close postsecondary attainment gaps and advance our families, communities, and nation. Find current opportunities to join our team below. Current Opportunities This page will be updated as opportunities become available.

Val Tovar serves as Assessment & Recognition Manager of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Val Tovar Assessment & Recognition Manager Excelencia in Education Email: vtovar@edexcelencia.org Past Experiences: Val’s career has centered on advocating for students impacted by violence and providing wraparound services that support their retention and graduation. She has held roles at American University and Georgetown University, and most recently led a team at the University of Washington Bothell, offering crisis support to students affected by interpersonal violence. Throughout her career, she has led programs supporting underrepresented students and remains committed to increasing access to resources that help students succeed in college and beyond. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a former program practitioner, I understand the commitment and energy it takes to serve students and how isolating it can be when that work goes unseen. I joined Excelencia to help change that by elevating the voices of program practitioners who are using evidence-based practices that contribute to student success at their institutions. As a Latina and first-generation college graduate, I’ve experienced how transformative these programs can be. They supported me as a student, and now I’m committed to ensuring others have access to the same opportunities. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is incredibly rewarding. It’s a place where passionate people come together, all deeply committed to the mission. The culture promotes teamwork, innovation, and a clear sense of purpose, making the work as a whole feel meaningful and impactful. Excelencia is an inspiring space where colleagues and institutions come together with a shared commitment to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students.

Iris E. Sanchez is the Director of Capacity Building of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Iris E. Sanchez Director of Capacity Building Excelencia in Education Email : isanchez@edexcelencia.org Past Experiences Iris is a proud first-generation college graduate and daughter of Mexican immigrants, with over 25 years of experience advancing student success, equity, and institutional transformation across higher education and community-based work. Most recently, she served as the Founding Director of Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives at Purdue University Northwest—Indiana’s largest HSI—leading efforts to advance Latino student success through strategic planning, HSI initiatives, and evidence-based practices. Previously, she held senior-level roles as Director of Student Life, Director of Human Resources, and DEI-focused positions during a 20-year career span at Ivy Tech Community College. Iris holds two bachelor’s degrees from Valparaiso University and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University Northwest, along with a certification in Nonprofit Management. Beyond her institutional roles, Iris is deeply engaged in community leadership and advocacy, bringing a holistic, community-centered lens to her work in higher education. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a first-generation college graduate, I understand firsthand how complex and challenging higher education systems can feel without intentional support. I had to navigate those systems on my own, in environments that were not built with students like me in mind. That experience has shaped my commitment to being part of the solution—to help redesign those systems to support student success. I was drawn to Excelencia because the organization goes beyond access and enrollment; it’s about institutional transformation. Being part of this work allows me to contribute not only my professional expertise, but also my lived experience, to help institutions create environments where students are supported by design, not by chance. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is both inspiring and grounding. There is a strong sense of shared purpose and clarity around why the work matters. It is humbling to be part of national-level institutional transformation and to know that our work influences the lives of so many students. What makes the experience especially meaningful is the people—working alongside like-minded, mission-driven colleagues and learning from two exceptional Latina co-founders who model values-based leadership every day. Excelencia is a space where people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to the work, trusting that our voices, experiences, and expertise contribute to something larger.

Josué Romualdo serves as Capacity Building Manager of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Josué Romualdo Capacity Building Manager Excelencia in Education Email: jromualdo@edexcelencia.org Past Experiences: My career has centered on advancing civic participation through efforts focused on voting access, information integrity, and community well-being. I’ve led impactful programs at national organizations, including the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the NALEO Educational Fund. In each role, I developed and managed initiatives that promoted informed voter engagement and supported diverse communities, leading several Latino-focused programs while serving all populations. Whether coordinating outreach campaigns, building coalitions, or responding to emerging challenges, my work has remained grounded in the values that emphasize the importance of promoting civic engagement. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? By joining Excelencia , I build on my experience to continue serving the Latino community, amongst all communities. I’m inspired by Excelencia’s commitment to using data-driven strategies and elevating key partnerships to support student achievement in higher education. This role aligns with my dedication to empower underserved communities through meaningful work and serving all populations. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? If I had to describe our work at Excelencia in one word, it would be dedication. Our staff, along with institutional leaders and program practitioners, are deeply committed to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. It is an honor to collaborate with individuals who share this unwavering dedication to ensuring access to excellence for each student

Adriana Rodriguez serves as Chief Operating Officer of Excelencia in Education. Adriana works closely with the CEO, focusing on optimizing processes, managing resources, and ensuring efficient execution of business strategies. < Back to Our People Page Adriana Rodriguez Chief Operating Officer Excelencia in Education Email: arodriguez@EdExcelencia.org Current Position: Adriana Rodriguez serves as Excelencia in Education’s Chief Operating Officer. As the COO she works closely with the CEO, focusing on optimizing processes, managing resources, and ensuring efficient execution of business strategies. Past Experiences: Adriana has 20 years of experience in non-profit education sector. During her 17 years of service at the Maya Angelou Schools in Washington, D.C., she worked in the areas of data infrastructure, office operations, continuous improvement practices, and school accountability policy. These focus areas had a secondary education lens, but she also worked on post-secondary pathways for six of those years by designing and managing college access and success services for the schools’ seniors and alumni. She was a tireless advocate among school leaders and city officials to ensure the inclusion of alternative youth populations in policy decisions. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? My career has focused on equitable access to education and employment opportunities for older youth and young adults, especially those most marginalized by educational systems. Excelencia provides an opportunity to bring a Latino lens to my work and to address issues at a national level and with higher education partners committed to student-thriving environments. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? I show up every day for Excelencia because of its mission and clear pathway to achieve it. I enjoy being part of a diverse and talented staff that works hard to achieve our goals. I appreciate the collaboration with all of our wonderful programs and institutions to transform higher education to more intentionally serve Latino and all post-traditional students.

Alexis Padilla-Torres serves as Strategic Initiatives Manager of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Alexis Padilla-Torres Strategic Initiatives Manager Excelencia in Education Email: apadillatorres@edexcelencia.org Past Experiences: Alexis brings experience from the public and private sectors and is passionate about community building, empowerment, and sustainable impact. She has cultivated a diverse skill set and robust network through her work in state and federal government, politics, and NGOs. Most recently, Alexis worked at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), where she led nationwide recruitment efforts for four leadership development programs, traveling extensively across the U.S. to bring Latino talent to Washington, DC. Prior to that role, she co-managed the Postgraduate and Public Policy Fellowship Programs, supporting fellows’ leadership journeys as they navigated life on and off Capitol Hill. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a mission-driven individual who has spent the last several years working for a national Latino-serving organization, it was important for me to continue contributing to a space that improves outcomes for all, while applying a Latino lens. Excelencia has provided me with the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of my greatest passions: community, education, leadership, and policy. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? I view Excelencia as a powerhouse of an organization. Founded with great intentionality, it is dynamic by nature and filled with dedicated staff – each connected to the mission in their own way. Working alongside such talented colleagues is a privilege.

Eyra Pérez serves as Senior Strategist of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Eyra Pérez Senior Strategist Excelencia in Education Email: eperez@EdExcelencia.org Past Experiences: Eyra brings more than 25 years of experience in Latino student access and success, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, equity-centered practices, program development and management, student development, student leadership, financial aid, transfer, STEM, and parent involvement. Her professional experience includes higher education, K-12 education, and non-profit community-based organizations. Eyra earned a PhD in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), a Master’s in Educational Leadership from UTSA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Our Lady of the Lake University. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a first-generation Latina from one of the most distressed and undereducated areas of Texas, I have committed my personal and professional life to ensure Latino students, and all students, are provided the opportunities to access higher education and the experiences, in and out of classrooms, to ensure their success. Being a part of the Excelencia team, grants me the opportunity to serve those that serve our Latino students and fulfill my personal and professional mission. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is like no other professional experience I have had. I am honored and humbled to work with and learn from institutional leaders and practitioners from across the nation that are committed to creating the thriving environments that our Latino, and all, students need and deserve. I am part of a team of very committed individuals who advance Excelencia ’s mission to accelerate Latino student success by being intentional and innovative as we build on a national stage. Excelencia ’s asset-based approach to leading, investigating, and highlighting what works for Latino students empowers me to do more and work harder.

Cindy Mendiola-Perez serves as Senior Advisor of Institutional Transformation of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Cindy Mendiola-Perez Senior Advisor of Institutional Transformation Excelencia in Education Email: cmperez@EdExcelencia.org Past experience: Prior to joining Excelencia , Cindy spent 32 years working in higher education institutions, 15 of those in student services at an HSI community college and 13 as an administrator at the district level where she led the development of various district-wide initiatives, including the development of a centralized center for admissions and records and the implementation of a redesigned, case-managed advising model. Cindy also spent 7 years helping prepare K-16 Latino students for careers in health and STEM both in a private, non-profit organization and at the university level. Your why: My passion for higher education stems from a commitment to creating equitable opportunities for students who struggle to gain access to and complete college, especially Latino students. Excelencia’s mission of accelerating Latino student success and the organization’s approach to mobilizing and supporting institutions intentionally SERVING Hispanic students aligns with my passion. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? The passion, commitment and dedication to the mission are evident amongst the staff at Excelencia . This, coupled with the opportunity to serve the higher ed community while enhancing student success for Latino, and all, students, makes Excelencia a great place to work.

Honee Herrera Gil serves as Assessment & Recognition Manager of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Honee Herrera Gil Assessment & Recognition Manager Excelencia in Education Email: hgil@edexcelencia.org Past Experiences: Honee has previous leadership experience in programs designed to help various underserved groups, including migrant families, students with disabilities, non-traditional transfer students, and first-generation college students. Her commitment to education and social justice grew stronger through these roles. In her last role at GEAR UP, she played a crucial role in improving the academic achievements and college preparedness for students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. Beyond her work with GEAR UP, Honee has made significant contributions to the migrant community – assisting farm workers in obtaining their GEDs to empower them to pursue further education, and working collaboratively with school staff, district leaders, parents, and community members to create inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students. Additionally, she served as a staff advisor for a student organization supporting Dreamers, offering support and encouragement to undocumented students as they navigated their educational journeys. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I am deeply committed to expanding educational opportunities and equity for underserved communities. Being part of a comunidad that’s dedicated to empowering Latino student success, such as Excelencia , is a true privilege. Excelencia’s platform offers me an opportunity to expand the reach of my work, fostering institutional growth and transformation on a national platform. I’m eager to continue advocating for access to quality education for every student and to support Excelencia in its mission to promote educational success for Latino, and all, students. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia fills me with a sense of purpose and excitement. The commitment to educational equity and the success of Latino students is tangible in all of our technical assistance work. Our team’s passion contributes to a working environment that encourages innovation and teamwork. I am honored to play a role in intentionally SERVING Latino students and to collaborate with a team that’s genuinely making an impact every day.

Karla Hernandez DeCuir serves as the Senior Director of Network Activation of Excelencia in Education. Karla leads strategic planning and daily operations of the Institutional Engagement portfolio, ensuring smooth and effective collaboration across the organization. < Back to Our People Page Karla Hernandez DeCuir Senior Director of Network Activation Excelencia in Education Email: khernandezdecuir@edexcelencia.org Current Position: Karla leads strategic planning and daily operations of the Institutional Engagement portfolio, ensuring smooth and effective collaboration across the organization. Karla plays a critical role in fostering cross-functional partnerships, aligning institutional efforts, and optimizing staff resources to deliver high-impact engagement strategies that elevate institutional practice and drive meaningful outcomes for institutions within the Excelencia in Action network. Past Experiences: Karla is a seasoned higher education leader with decades of experience driving student success, enrollment growth, and institutional partnerships. Most recently, she served as Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV), where she held several leadership roles over eight years, including Assistant Provost for Distance Learning and Sr. Director of Enrollment Management and External Affairs. Throughout her tenure, she championed initiatives to expand access to higher education for underrepresented populations—particularly adult learners and Latino students—and helped grow the university’s presence in the Greater Houston area by forging key partnerships with community colleges and corporate partners. Prior to UHV, she led community partnership and enrollment efforts for the University of Phoenix across Greater Houston and South Texas. Her leadership has been recognized nationally by the National Diversity Council, the Council for Latino Workplace Equity, and locally through honors such as Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and the DiversityFIRST Award. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I migrated from Guatemala City at age 12 and, like many first-generation students, found the path to college difficult to navigate. Earning my doctorate degree was only possible because of the mentors and leaders who helped remove barriers along the way. Meeting Excelencia Co-founder Deborah Santiago, I was inspired by her passion to transform higher education to better support students like me. I feel deeply aligned with Excelencia’s mission to elevate institutions that are not only enrolling Latino students, but truly serving them with intention and impact. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia has been an incredibly rewarding experience. What stands out most is the passion and commitment of the team. The intentionality behind everything the founders and leadership do is inspiring. They've created a culture where we all speak with one voice to amplify our shared mission and vision to intentionally SERVE Latino students. It’s clear how respected and impactful Excelencia is on a national level, and being part of that legacy is both humbling and energizing.

Jennifer Gomez-Chavez Senior Strategist of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Jennifer Gomez-Chavez Senior Strategist Excelencia in Education Email: jgomez-chavez@EdExcelencia.org Past Experiences: Jennifer Gomez-Chavez is a native New Mexican born and raised in Hagerman, a small rural farming community. Jennifer has 30 years of experience working with low-income, and students from underrepresented backgrounds through her positions with the LULAC National Educational Service Center and the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Jennifer retired from the University of New Mexico where she spent 27 years in various roles that include: Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNM Health Sciences Center and main campus, Executive Director of the Unidos Project, Central Region Director for ENLACE New Mexico, Director of Collective Impact Initiatives and an adjunct faculty member. She led the first Title V grant at UNM main campus and was named as the inaugural Director of Student Success for the university. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? My passion has been focused on the success of students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, first generation, low-income and rural communities which is aligned to Excelencia 's mission and goals. I believe in the critical work that Excelencia has been undergoing for the last 18 years, and I want to be part of transforming institutions. My hope is to help institutions transform to be "student ready" and educate and empower the present and future generations of Latino students to dream big and achieve their highest goals. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? It is exciting to be working for an organization that is leading nationally on Latino student success. I feel honored to be part of an incredible team that is committed to building a national movement based on data, practice and leadership to transform higher education institutions and support practitioners in their efforts to accelerate Latino student success.

Olivia Glad serves as Capacity Building Manager of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Olivia Glad Capacity Building Manager Excelencia in Education Email: oglad@edexcelencia.org Past Experiences: Olivia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and an interdisciplinary minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in May 2021 from Furman University. During her time as a student, she engaged in coursework which ignited her passion for understanding the complex interplay between gender and ethnicity. Olivia was later appointed the inaugural Post-Baccalaureate Fellow within Furman’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, where she supported the scaling of the program through educational outreach, mentorship, and collaboration between the university and local community-based organizations. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I am committed to bridging the gaps between academic knowledge and real-world activism, with the goal of fostering positive change for all students in higher education. At Excelencia , we advocate for a multifaceted approach that combines education, initiatives, and community engagement to address the needs of Latino students, with the objective to more intentionally serve all students. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? As an organization, we are devoted to supporting and uplifting the individuals and programs that are devoted to seeing Latino students thrive academically, socially, and culturally. I am glad to spend each day surrounded by agents of change with an immense commitment to serving Latino students.